Gravel
Tuscany

Gravel Tuscany

Ride the legendary strade bianche!

Famous for it’s hilltop towns, Chianti wine, cypress trees, great food and Italian style, Tuscany is also home to the strade bianche and some of the best gravel and Beyond Tarmac rides in Europe.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

October 8th 2023

From

USD $3,695

Duration

7 days / 6 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

No

Rental Bike

USD $500

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Tuscany with it’s legendary strade bianche  is the perfect destination for a Thomson gravel trip.

Starting just outside Florence, you’ll ride through the best of Tuscany following many of the white gravel routes made famous by the Eroica and the annual Strade Bianche professional race. Discover the magical medieval towns of Volterra and San Gimignano and ride through Montalcino, home of the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine. Ride through the classic Chianti and Vernaccia vineyards and the Crete Senesi with its quintessential Tuscan landscapes of rolling hills and lines of cypress trees leading to hilltop farms.

Join us in this gravel paradise for an unforgettable experience and some of the best Beyond Tarmac riding Europe has to offer!

Video

Get a glimpse of what to expect in our short film following the Thomson ride leaders on our reconnaissance trip through Tuscany

Trip Technical Difficulty

1
2
3
Not only for gravel newbies but also experienced riders that don’t enjoy very technical terrain. Possibility of a few tricky segments here and there, among easy sections and paved roads.

Ride Surfaces

Grade 1
55%
Grade 2
30%
Grade 3
10%
Grade 4
3%
Grade 5
2%

Bike Setup Recommendations

Recommended Tires

700×34

A minimum 700×34, but feel free to use more rubber for more comfort and grip if your bike has extra tire clearance.

Recommended Gearing

38T × 11-42

We recommend a minimum gear ratio of 0.90 using a 38T chainring × 42 rear cog (or equivalent). Check your gear ratios at www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios.


Gravel Explained

Read below for a brief description of our gravel definitions. We have classed the surfaces into five categories, from tarmac to boulders, to give an indication of the amount and level of rough stuff on each trip.

Click below to see Cycling Tips’ great explainer video on gravel surfaces.
GRADE 1
Bad roads, cobbles and rough paved surfaces. You’d find this rideable on a standard road bike.
GRADE 2
Well-made, hard-packed dirt roads offering a road-like experience but without the traffic. Some rutting and looseness of stones.
GRADE 3
Reasonably smooth gravel. Discernible small rocks over a hard-packed surface.
GRADE 4
Rough gravel with conditions that may include shale, larger gravel and rocks. Tubeless tyres and big clearance are the most practical choice.
GRADE 5
Borderline MTB terrain, at the rougher end of the spectrum for the capabilities of most gravel bikes.

star star star star star
Gravel Tuscany
An absolutely stunning experience with the most amazing staff. Everyone was so patient and knowledgeable and were true ambassadors to the sport of cycling. I ...

Kendall Tengelsen & Zack Mitchell, USA — 2022

star star star star star
Gravel Tuscany
Super pro from start to finish. But more importantly, super good people. Half the fun was getting to know the guys I was riding with ...

Davin Johnson, USA — 2021

star star star star star
Gravel Tuscany
This was a truly great trip. The routes were well-designed, the food and accommodation were outstanding and the staff were fun and professional. Grazie mille!

Geoff Jones, USA — 2022

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Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Benvenuti in Toscana Country Hotel Borgo Sant’Ippolito
02 The hill-top town of Volterra Albergo Villa Nencini
03 Into Chianti Relais Vignale & Spa
04 In the tire tracks of L'Eroica PALAZZO DEL CAPITANO
05 Strade Bianche terrain Laticastelli Relais & Spa
06 More Eroica & Strade Bianche Relais Vignale & Spa
07 Ciao!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Benvenuti in Toscana

Your trip starts at Florence Airport where our staff will meet you before the transfer to your hotel in Montelupo Fiorentino, by the Turbone river.

After a brief orientation meeting, bike build-up and lunch we’ll head out for a short warm-up ride in the hills around.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


The hill-top town of Volterra

Our journey across Tuscany starts today with a magnificent ride to the medieval, hill-top town of Volterra. Leaving the Turbone area,  we head deep into the heart of Tuscany, through the picturesque town of Montespertoli and into the rolling Vernaccia vineyards that surround the famous medieval towers of San Gimignano. From San Gimignano we head through the Castelvecchio natural reserve to the River Era where you’ll see the medieval walls of Volterra perched high on the hill above you.

Tip: keep your legs fresh for the last climb up to Volterra, it’s a steep one with grades of 10-12% in sections.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


Into Chianti

Leaving Volterra we head for San Gimignano where we join a wonderful gravel section with the best views of this magical Tuscan town. The ride continues into the famous Chianti vineyards and the start of the famous L’Eroica course and the routes of the Strade Bianche professional race.

Tip: A good trick here would be to start the day with some extra pressure on your tires to ride on the initial section of pavement and then drop a few PSI around San Gimignano for the second part of the stage. Ask our ride leaders for help if needed!

Map & Profile

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
30%
Grade 2
30%
Grade 3
15%
Grade 4
10%
Grade 5
5%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
50%
Grade 2
20%
Grade 3
15%
Grade 4
10%
Grade 5
5%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
50%
Grade 2
30%
Grade 3
20%
Grade 4
0%
Grade 5
0%

Surface Details

Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06

Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2023
Oct 8 - 14
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $3,695
USD $650
USD $690
Book this trip
2024
May 5 - 11
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $3,895
USD $700
USD $730
Book this trip
Oct 6 - 12
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $3,895
USD $700
USD $730
Book this trip
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Waiting List


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    Trip Hotels

    Country Hotel Borgo Sant’Ippolito

    View website arrow

    Albergo Villa Nencini

    View website arrow

    Relais Vignale & Spa

    View website arrow

    PALAZZO DEL CAPITANO

    View website arrow

    Laticastelli Relais & Spa

    View website arrow


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 7 days / 6 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Lunch on the 1st day
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off at Florence Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x Support Van & 4WD vehicle
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 7 days / 6 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Lunch on the 1st day
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off at Florence Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x Support Van & 4WD vehicle
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Florence Airport

    9:00am

    OR

    Hotel Palazzo Castri 1874

    View website arrow

    9:00am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Florence Airport

    9:00am


    Rental Bikes

    Frame

    Felt Breed 20

    Groupset

    SRAM Force 1

    Weight

    9.35kg (size 54)

    Wheels

    Devox Wheels RDS.A0 GXA | 30/21

    Chainrings

    36 or 38 (depending on trip)

    Cassette

    11-42

    Sizes

    47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61

    Price

    USD $500

    View Full Details


    Gravel Tuscany

    Tuscany beyond tarmac, inspired by the Eroica and Strade Bianche courses, the perfect mix.


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